Method for coupling a telematics device to a vehicle using an in-vehicle wiring harness with multiple adaptors for an on-board diagnostic connector

ABSTRACT

An embodiment provides a method for coupling a telematics device to a host vehicle. One embodiment of the method may include: 1) coupling an electrical cable to an engine control unit of the host vehicle; 2) coupling the electrical cable to the telematics device; and 3) coupling a diagnostic connector to the electrical cable. The diagnostic connector may be configured to interface with a diagnostic scan tool that corresponds to the host vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/799,848 filed May 3, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,447,574, andwhich is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/831,952 filed Apr. 26, 2004 and issued on May 29, 2007 as U.S. Pat.No. 7,225,065, the entirety of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to vehicle wiring systems and components.

2. Description of the Invention Background

Vehicles, such as light-duty cars and trucks and heavy-dutytractor/trailers, can include ‘telematics’ systems that monitor thevehicle's location and diagnostic data. Such telematics systemstypically include an in-vehicle telematics device that includes aconventional global positioning system (‘GPS’) that receives signalsfrom orbiting satellites, and a processor that analyzes these signals tocalculate a GPS ‘fix’. The fix features location-based data such as avehicle's latitude, longitude, altitude, heading, and velocity, andtypically describes the vehicle's location with an accuracy of about 10meters or better.

In addition to the GPS, telematics devices typically include a wirelesstransmitter that sends location-based data through a wireless network,and an Internet-accessible website that displays the data.

Telematics devices can also monitor the host vehicle's diagnosticsystem. As an example of a diagnostic system, most light-dutyautomobiles and trucks beginning with model year 1996 include anon-board diagnostic (OBD) system as mandated by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA). OBD systems feature a network of in-vehiclesensors that monitor the vehicle's electrical, mechanical, and emissionssystems, and in response generate data that are processed by thevehicle's engine control unit (ECU). The data are used, for example, todetect malfunctions or deterioration in the vehicle's performance. Theyare accessed from the ECU according to the following serialcommunication protocols: J1850 VPW (Ford); J1850 VPWM (General Motors);ISO 9141-2 (most Japanese and European vehicles); Keyword 2000 (someMercedes and Hyundai vehicles); and CAN (a newer protocol used by manyvehicles manufactured after 2004). Parameters within the data includevehicle speed (VSS), engine speed (RPM), engine load (LOAD), and massair flow (MAF). The ECU can also generate diagnostic trouble codes(DTCs), which are 5-digit codes (e.g., ‘P0001’) indicatingemissions-related problems with the vehicle.

Most vehicles manufactured after 1996 include a standardized, serial,sixteen-cavity connector, referred to herein as an ‘OBD connector’, thatprovides access to the above-mentioned data. The OBD connector seriallycommunicates with the vehicle's ECU, and additionally provides power(approximately 12 volts) and ground. The OBD connector typically liesunderneath the vehicle's dashboard. A conventional scan tool can beplugged into this OBD connector to retrieve diagnostic data from thevehicle's ECU.

While the core and pin-out of each OBD connector is universal andmandated by the EPA, the form factor, and particularly the plasticconfiguration around the connector's perimeter, typically varies byvehicle make. And even within a given make, the connector's form factormay vary for a given model.

Heavy-duty trucks typically include a diagnostic system, referred toherein as a ‘truck diagnostic system’, which is analogous to the OBDsystems present in light-duty vehicles. Truck diagnostic systemstypically operate a communication protocol called J1708/J1587 or CANthat collects diagnostic data from sensors distributed in the truck. Asin light-duty vehicles, the truck's ECU processes these data, and thenmakes them available through a six or nine-pin connector, referred toherein as ‘the truck diagnostic connector’, typically located in thetruck's interior. Again, a technician can obtain the data from thetruck's ECU by plugging a conventional scan tool into the truckdiagnostic connector.

In the past, a telematics device connected to the host vehicle'sdiagnostic connector was typically mounted within the vehicle.Unfortunately, such mounting arrangements make it convenient for thievesto simply remove or unplug the telematics device to thwart its vehicletracking abilities.

In addition, during a repair process, the technician must unplug thetelematics device from the vehicle's diagnostic connector so that aconventional scan can be plugged into that connector and retrievediagnostic data from the vehicle's ECU. After the diagnostic materialhas been retrieved and the scan tool has been unplugged from thediagnostic connector, the technician must remember to reconnect thetelematics device to the connector. The telematics device is renderedinoperative if the technician forgets to reconnect it to the OBDconnector.

These are just a few of the problems associated with prior telematicsand diagnostic monitoring systems employed in vehicles for monitoringthe vehicle's location and diagnostic data.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method forcoupling a telematics device to a host vehicle. In one embodiment, themethod includes coupling an electrical cable to an engine control unitof the vehicle. The electrical cable is coupled to the telematicsdevice. A diagnostic connector is coupled to the electrical cablewherein the diagnostic connector is configured to interface with adiagnostic scan tool that corresponds to the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of various embodiments of the presentinvention can be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken with the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional side view of the wiring harness accordingto an embodiment of the invention, featuring an ‘effective’ OBDconnector, that connects a telematics device to a host vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional, exploded side view of the effective OBDconnector of the wiring harness of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is three-dimensional side view of the wiring harness of FIG. 1featuring a first connector portion that connects to one of multipleadaptors, each matched to a different host vehicle's on-board diagnosticconnector.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an effective OBD connector of FIG. 2 used forlight-duty vehicles.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front views of effective connectors used,respectively, for heavy-duty vehicles supporting six-pin connectors, andheavy-duty vehicles supporting nine-pin connectors.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a telematics system for collecting andtransmitting diagnostic and location information from a vehicle thatuses the wiring harness of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of the wiringharness of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of the wiringharness of FIG. 1 featuring a “vampire tap” for making an electricalconnection between the host vehicle's OBD system and the telematicsdevice.

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of an alternate embodiment of the wiringharness of FIG. 1 featuring a wireless interface between the hostvehicle's OBD system and the telematics device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings thatillustrate certain embodiments of the present invention. Otherembodiments are possible and modifications may be made to theembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not meant tolimit the present invention. Rather, the scope of the present inventionis defined by the appended claims.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a modular wiringharness that may be used to connect an in-vehicle telematics device to ahost vehicle and the diagnostic system therein. In one embodiment, thewiring harness comprises a snap-on, configurable adaptor that snaps oris otherwise coupled onto a connector core. Once attached, the piecesform an ‘effective OBD connector’. The wiring harness may be arranged toenable the telematics device to be effectively hidden under thedashboard while at the same time providing easy access to an OBDconnector to obtain diagnostic information from the vehicle's ECU. Itmay be advantageous for the wiring harness to include a snap-on adaptorbecause, while the core and pin-out of each OBD connector is universaland mandated by the EPA, the form factors of these connectors typicallyvary by vehicle make and model.

As will be discussed in further detail below, to install one of thewiring harness embodiments of the invention, a technician removes thevehicle's original OBD connector from its location under the dash andconnects it to a second connector portion of the harness. The technicianthen snaps or otherwise couples an effective OBD connector adaptor withthe same form factor as the original OBD connector onto a firstconnector portion of the harness, and inserts the adaptor into thenow-vacated original location of the original OBD connector. Thetechnician may then secure the telematics device in a location withinthe vehicle that is not easily accessible or noticeable, and alsoconnects the telematics device to a third connector portion of theharness. The technician may then deploy the antennae for the GPS andwireless transmitter of the telematics device. Data from the ECU canthen be accessed through the original OBD connector, at the secondconnector portion, through the harness from the effective OBD connectoradaptor at the first connector portion, or through the harness by thetelematics device from the third connector portion.

In this configuration, both the effective OBD connector (now locatedunder the dash in the original location of the original OBD connector)and the original OBD connector (now communicating with the telematicsdevice through the harness) communicate serially with the host vehicle'sECU. The reader will appreciate that this configuration provides severaladvantages. First, it allows the vehicle's telematics device to bothcommunicate with the vehicle's ECU and be hidden from view. This meansthe device is not visible to passengers within the vehicle, making itunobtrusive and effective for applications such as recovery of stolenvehicles. Second, the effective OBD connector adaptor, which is visiblefrom within the vehicle, looks like the original OBD connector andtherefore does not indicate that any telematics device is installed.This too aids recovery of stolen vehicles. Third, during a repairprocess, a technician can access the vehicle's diagnostic computer usingan automotive scan tool without having to unplug the telematics devicefrom the vehicle's original OBD connector. The technician simply plugs ascan tool into the effective OBD connector, which is easily accessedunderneath the vehicle's dash, and then downloads diagnostic data fromthe vehicle's ECU.

By selecting the proper adaptor from a set of multiple adaptors, atechnician can use the present invention as a universal wiring harnessto install the telematics device in virtually any vehicle. This means itis not necessary to manufacture custom wiring harnesses for each type ofvehicle. Companies installing the telematics device (e.g., automotivedealerships) can stock a single ‘base’ wiring harness (which can berelatively expensive) and multiple adaptors (which are relativelyinexpensive). This is efficient for control of inventory. Alternatively,through a retail channel, a customer can purchase the telematics device,the base wiring harness, and multiple adaptors. In both cases, toinstall the telematics device, the installer simply selects an adaptorthat matches the host vehicle's OBD connector, and snaps it or otherwisefastens it to the connector core to form the effective OBD connector.The installer then attaches the effective OBD connector to the wiringharness, installs the telematics device, and may choose to discard theun-used adaptors.

One or more of these features of the wiring harness complement basicadvantages provided by the telematics system, described in detail below.For example, various embodiments of this system provide wireless,real-time transmission and analysis of diagnostic and location-baseddata, followed by analysis and display of these data by anInternet-accessible website. This makes it possible to characterize thevehicle's performance and determine its location in real-time fromvirtually any location that has Internet access. Diagnostic andlocation-based data may be complementary and, when analyzed together,can improve conventional services such as roadside assistance,vehicle-theft notification and recovery, and remote diagnostics. Forexample, the information can indicate a vehicle's location, its fuellevel and battery voltage, and/or whether or not it has any active DTCs.Using this information, a call center can dispatch a tow truck with theappropriate materials (e.g., extra gasoline or tools required to repaira specific problem) to repair the vehicle accordingly. More applicationsof conventional telematics systems are found within the following U.S.Patents, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated byreference: 1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,579; 2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,033; 3)U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,740; and 4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,790.

More specifically, one embodiment of the invention provides a wiringharness that connects a telematics device to a host vehicle. The wiringharness may include: 1) a cable featuring a plurality of wires; 2) afirst connector featuring a snap-on adaptor that attaches to a connectorcore with a pin configuration that mates with a diagnostic scan tool; 3)a second connector that connects to an in-vehicle diagnostic system; and4) a third connector that connects to the telematics device.

In at least some of the embodiments, the cable includes a firstconnector portion that mates to the first connector, and a secondconnector portion that mates with the second connector. The first andsecond connector portions, for example, can be IDC connectors. In otherembodiments, the first connector further includes a first set of metalcontacts that mate with a diagnostic scan tool, and a second set ofmetal contacts that mate with the first connector portion.

In one embodiment, the connector core includes sixteen metallizedcavities and may be configured to mate with an OBD-II male connector.Similarly, the second connector may include sixteen metallized pins andbe configured to mate with an OBD-II female connector. However, othercavity and pin arrangements could conceivably be employed depending uponthe specific application.

Various embodiments of the present invention may be useful in a widerange of vehicles. Examples of such vehicles include, but are notlimited to, automobiles, commercial equipment, light, medium andheavy-duty trucks, construction vehicles (e.g., front-end loaders,bulldozers, forklifts), powered sport vehicles (e.g., motorboats,motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, jet skis, and otherpowered sport vehicles), collision repair vehicles, marine vehicles, andrecreational vehicles.

FIG. 1 shows a wiring harness 10 according to one embodiment of theinvention that features a snap-on adaptor 25 a chosen to match a formfactor of the OBD connector present in a host vehicle. During aninstallation process, the snap-on adaptor 25 a connects to an outerperimeter of an OBD-compliant connector core 26 to form an ‘effective’OBD connector 27 that looks virtually identical to the OBD connector 36present in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the effective OBD connector27 is two-sided: one side includes a core 26 with sixteen OBD-compliantmetallized cavities and a configuration that matches a standard OBDconnector, while the second side features twenty pins (not shown in thefigure) in a configuration that matches a standard IDC connector. Aprinted circuit board (not shown in the figure, but described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 2) connects each cavity of the connectorcore 26 to a mating pin in the IDC connector. This may be accomplishedduring manufacturing. During installation of the wiring harness, theeffective OBD connector 27 connects to a first connector portion 18attached to the wiring harness 10. In this embodiment, the firstconnector portion 18 is a female, twenty-cavity IDC connector. A firstclip 23 may be used to secure the effective OBD connector 27 to thefirst connector portion 18. In one embodiment, the clip 23 is fabricatedfrom metal material. Other materials and arrangements could also beemployed for the clip. In addition, if appropriate, the OBD connector 27could conceivably be attached to the first connector portion 18 by othersuitable fasteners and fastening arrangements such as screws or thelike.

The wiring harness 10 is also attached to a second connector portion 17,which, in this embodiment, is identical in configuration to the firstconnector portion 18. The second connector portion 17 in this embodimentfeatures a female twenty-cavity IDC connector. It mates with an OBDconnector 28 that, in this embodiment, includes twenty male pins in anIDC pin-out on one side, and sixteen male pins in an OBD pin-out on theother side. A third connector portion 16, which, in this embodiment, isidentical to the above-described first 18 and second 17 connectorportions, connects to the in-vehicle telematics device 20 through twentymale pins in an IDC pin-out 24. Second and third clips (22, 21),respectively, secure the second and third connector portions (17, 16) tothe male OBD connector 28 and telematics device 20. As described above,clips 21 and 22 may be fabricated from metal, although other clipmaterials and/or fastener arrangements could also be successfullyemployed. Also in this embodiment, a twenty-wire ribbon cable 15, whichmay include first 15A and second 15B portions, connects individual pinsand provides electrical communication between the first 18, second 17,and third 16 connector portions.

Once all the above-mentioned connections are made, the wiring harness isfully operational and ready to install in the host vehicle. To do this,the vehicle's original female OBD connector 36 is removed from itslocation and connected to the male OBD connector 28. See FIG. 6 herein.Once secured, this connection facilitates transmission of power, ground,and the vehicle's diagnostic data, through a serial connection to thehost vehicle's ECU and to the telematics device 20. The installer maythen insert the effective OBD connector 27 into the vacated slot ormounting area that previously housed or otherwise supported thevehicle's original OBD connector 36. With this in place, a conventionalautomotive scan tool 70, once plugged into the effective OBD connector27, can also download diagnostic information from the vehicle's ECU. Tocomplete the installation, the third connector portion 16 is coupled tothe telematics device 20 and the telematics device 20 and cable aresecured underneath the vehicle's dash and hidden from view. If thetelematics device 20 includes external antennae (e.g. for a wirelesstransmitter and GPS), these too are secured within the vehicle.

In this configuration, the telematics device 20 is not visible topassengers within the vehicle 12, making it unobtrusive and effectivefor applications such as recovery of stolen vehicles. Also, theeffective OBD connector 27 looks like the original OBD connector 36, andis in the original location of the original OBD connector 36, so it isnot obvious that any telematics device 20 has been installed. Thisfurther aids in recovering stolen vehicles. In addition, during a repairprocess, a technician can access the vehicle's diagnostic computer withan automotive scan tool 70, communicating through the effective OBDconnector 27, without having to unplug the telematics device 20 from theoriginal OBD connector 36. The technician simply plugs a scan tool 70into the effective OBD connector 27, which is easily accessed underneaththe vehicle's dash, and then downloads diagnostic data from thevehicle's ECU 35.

In one embodiment, at any given time, diagnostic data generated by thevehicle's ECU can only pass through the effective OBD connector or tothe in-vehicle telematics device 20. It cannot be accessedsimultaneously from both components. The in-vehicle telematics device20, therefore, typically includes firmware that detects when a scan tool70 is connected to the effective OBD connector 27. It then backs offfrom the ECU so that it receives no data until the scan tool 70 isdisconnected. In this way, the technician can download the vehicle'sdiagnostic data during a repair without having to disconnect thein-vehicle telematics device.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed, exploded view of an embodiment of an effectiveOBD connector 27, and provides one example of how this component may beconnected to the first connector portion 18 of the cable 15. Theeffective OBD connector 27 in this embodiment features a snap-on adaptor25 e that replicates a configuration of the host vehicle's OBD connector36; the adaptor in FIG. 2, for example, is common for many Toyota,Honda, and Chrysler vehicles. However, other adaptor configurationscould be employed. In this embodiment, the adaptor 25 e attaches to anouter perimeter of the connector core 26. A plastic core 29 locatedwithin the connector core 26 may have sixteen cavities 34, each filledwith a single hollow metal pin 31 a, 31 b. The metal pins 31 a, 31 bextend through individual cavities 34 in the plastic core 29 and into aset of corresponding holes 37 formed through a printed circuit board 30.Once inserted, the ends of the hollow metal pins 31 a, 31 b define aplurality of metallized cavities for accepting a corresponding numberand arrangement of metal pins.

In this embodiment, metal traces 32′ etched on the printed circuit board30 connect the set of holes 37 to a set of metal leads 38 on the board'sopposite side. The set of metal leads 38 align with a set of pins 39within an IDC connector 33. The set of pins 39 extend through the IDCconnector and are exposed on its opposite side 40. During manufacturing,the metal pins 31 a, 31 b within the plastic core 29 are soldered to thecorresponding holes 37 on one side of the printed circuit board 30.Metal leads 38 on the other side are then press-fit onto the set of pins39 protruding from the IDC connector 33. This forms the core connector26, which features a set of pins 40 extending from the IDC connector 33that are in electrical contact with the cavities 34 within the plasticcore 29. Other pin and connector arrangements could conceivably beemployed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Also in this embodiment, each adaptor 25 e features an opening 41 thatmatches the geometry of the plastic core's perimeter. Similarly, eachadaptor 25 e includes a circular opening 43 on each side that matches aplastic boss 42 present on each side of the plastic core 26. Once theappropriate adaptor 25 e is chosen, an installer inserts its opening 41around the connector core 26, and snaps each circular opening 43 intothe corresponding plastic boss 42. This firmly secures the adaptor 25 eand the connector core 26, and results in an effective OBD connector 27that matches that present in the vehicle. Other means of fastening theadapter to the core could be employed.

The installer then inserts the set of pins 40 extending from theopposite side of the connector core 26 into a set of cavities 44 withinthe first connector portion 18 connected to the cable 15 of the wiringharness. The cable 15 in this embodiment includes twenty wires. However,other types of cables may also be employed. After this, each cavity 34in the plastic core 26 is in electrical contact with a correspondingwire within the cable 15. Upon completion of the installation,corresponding wires within the cable 15 are subsequently in electricalcontact with: 1) a unique cavity on the effective OBD connector 27(present underneath the vehicle's dash); 2) a corresponding cavity inthe vehicle's original OBD connector (connected to the male OBDconnector 28 of the wiring harness 10); and 3) to a corresponding pin onthe telematics device (described in more detail below). In thisconfiguration, the telematics device 20 can receive power and diagnosticdata from basically any host vehicle 12, and then transmit thisinformation through a wireless network to an Internet-accessible websiteas will be discussed in further detail below.

In addition, in this embodiment, the printed circuit board 30 includes aset of three metallized holes 32 that are insulated from any pins in theplastic core 29, but, following installation, are in electrical contactwith a microprocessor in the telematics device 20. During operation, themicroprocessor generates data indicating the status of the telematicsdevice 20. The microprocessor can also accept new firmware. Duringmaintenance, a special diagnostic tool plugs into the set of threemetallized holes 32 and serially communicates with the microprocessor toeither collect data or download new firmware into the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail the different configurations ofsnap-on adaptors 25 that can be used with the wiring harness 10 andtelematics device 20 according to one embodiment of the invention. Othermeans of affixing the adapters 25 to the cores 26 could conceivably beemployed. In this embodiment, each adaptor includes a common opening (41in FIG. 2) and circular opening (43 in FIG. 3), but otherwise has aunique form factor. As is clear from the figure, the form factors mayvary considerably; each is chosen to match that of an OBD connectorpresent in a given vehicle. During installation, a single snap-onadaptor 25 i selected from the set of different adaptors 25 connects tothe connector core 26 as described above to complete the wiring harness10. The wiring harness 10 then connects the telematics device 20 to thevehicle as described above. By the way of example, Table 1, below,correlates individual adaptors 25 a-h within the set of snap-on adaptors25 to their corresponding vehicle.

TABLE 1 snap-on adaptors and their corresponding host vehicles AdaptorHost Vehicle 25a Ford 25b Toyota, Honda, Chrysler 25c Toyota, Chrysler25d Saturn, General Motors 25e Mercedes, BMW 25f Porsche, Audi,Volkswagen 25g Volvo 25h Saab

FIG. 4 illustrates each of the sixteen cavities 27 a-p within theeffective OBD connector 27 of this embodiment. As shown in Table 2,below, the cavities may supply power (˜12V), ground, and a serialinterface to one of five serial vehicle-communication protocolscurrently supported by the host vehicle and described above. Throughthese protocols the connector 27 receives data from the vehicle's ECUthat characterize the on-board electrical, mechanical, and emissionssystems.

TABLE 2 cavities within the effective OBD connector and their functionCavity Function 27b J1850+ 27d Chassis Ground 27e Signal Ground 27f CANHigh 27g ISO 9141-2 K Line 27j J1850− 27n CAN Low 27o ISO 9141-2 L Line27p Battery Power (~12 V)

A version of the wiring harness described above can also be used forheavy-duty trucks. These vehicles are typically not OBD-compliant, andsupport serial communication protocols (referred to herein asJ1708/J1587 and CAN) that are different than those described above forlight-duty vehicles. Like light-duty vehicles, however, these serialcommunication protocols collect diagnostic data, generated from ain-vehicle network of sensors, from the host vehicle's ECU. These dataare typically made available through a circular six or nine-pinconnector typically located in the truck's interior. Unlike light-dutyvehicles, the form factors of these connectors typically do not vary ina vehicle-by-vehicle manner.

The wiring harness heavy-duty trucks is similar to that described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1-3. In this case, however, different coreconnectors, each having a circular cross section, are required for thesix and nine-pin configurations. FIGS. 5A and 5B show, respectively,cross-sections of the nine-pin 50 and six-pin 42 connectors, and thecavities 42 a-e, 50 a-i within these connectors. Examples of typicalpin-outs for the effective connectors for these configurations aredescribed in more detail in Tables 3 and 4, below:

TABLE 3 cavities and their function for the effective connector for aheavy-duty truck featuring a nine-pin connector Cavity Function 50aChassis Ground 50b Battery Power (~12 V) 50c CAN High 50d CAN Low 50eCAN Shield 50f J1708+ 50g J1708− 50h Proprietary 50i Proprietary

TABLE 4 cavities and their function for the effective connector for aheavy-duty truck featuring a six-pin connector Cavity Function 42aJ1708+ 42b J1708− 42c Battery Power (~12 V) 42d No Standard Function 42eChassis Ground 42f No Standard Function

FIG. 6 shows a schematic drawing of a telematics system 52 that usesembodiments of the above-described telematics device 20 and wiringharness 10 to monitor diagnostic and location-based information from ahost vehicle 12. The telematics device 20 connects to the wiring harness10 through a third connector portion 16, and the resulting system isinstalled in a host vehicle 12 as described above. Specifically, thewiring harness 10 includes a cable 15 that, on one end, features aneffective OBD connector 27 that is located under the vehicle's dash 14.This effective OBD connector 27 may populate a slot or other mountingarrangement left behind by the vehicle's original OBD connector 36,which is removed from its original location during installation andconnected to a male sixteen-pin connector 28 attached to the wiringharness 10. The vehicle's original connector 36 provides a serialinterface to the vehicle's ECU 35.

During operation, the telematics device 20 retrieves diagnostic datacollected from the host vehicle 12, and location-based data from a GPSthat collects signals from a constellation 60 of overlying satellitesthrough an airlink 62. The device 20 formats these data in separatepackets and transmits them over an airlink 59 to a base station 61included in a wireless network 54. The packets propagate through thewireless network 54 to a gateway software piece 55 running on a hostcomputer system 57. The host computer system 57 processes and storesinformation from the packets in a database 63 using the gateway softwarepiece 55. The host computer system 57 additionally hosts a web site 66that, once accessed, displays the information. A user (e.g. anindividual working for a call center) accesses the web site 66 with asecondary computer system 69 through the Internet 67. The host computersystem 57 includes a data-processing component 68 that analyzes thelocation and diagnostic information as described above.

Other embodiments are also within the scope of the invention. Inparticular, cables, connectors, and mechanical configurations other thanthose described above can be used for the wiring harness. For example,the harness can have a ‘Y’ configuration where the effective OBDconnector, male OBD connector, and third connector portion are,respectively, at different ends of the ‘Y’. In another configuration,the telematics device can include a pass-through connector so that thedevice can receive diagnostic data while making the vehicle's OBDconnector available to a scan tool during, for example, repairs. Whenthe scan tool 70 is plugged in, the telematics device ‘backs off’ theECU (i.e., the telematics device temporarily stops accessing data fromthe ECU) using either firmware or hardware, so that the scan tool 70 canread the diagnostic data.

FIG. 7, for example, shows an embodiment as a wiring harness arrangementfor connecting a telematics device 704 to a host vehicle, comprising: aplurality of first electrical conductors 702; a first connector 701electrically coupled to at least some of the first electrical conductors702 and being configured to be connected to an in-vehicle diagnosticsystem; and a second connector 703 electrically coupled to at least oneof the first electrical conductors 702 and configured to be coupled tothe telematics device 704; a plurality of second electrical conductors705, configured to be connected to the telematics device 704; and athird electrical connector 706 electrically coupled to at least some ofthe second electrical conductors 705 and being configured to be coupledto a diagnostic scan tool.

In other embodiments, the wiring harness can include ‘vampire taps’ thatconnect directly to wires within the vehicle's OBD system. In this case,the original OBD connector within the vehicle is not removed, and thewiring harness therefore lacks an effective OBD connector. Instead, theappropriate wires from the OBD system (e.g., wires providing high andlow serial communication) are located and connected to correspondingwires within the wiring harness using the taps. These wires connectdirectly to the telematics device, and supply diagnostic data that isprocessed as described above. This embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, includesa wiring harness arrangement for connecting a telematics device 804 to ahost vehicle, comprising: a plurality of conductors 801; a set ofvampire taps 802 electrically coupled to at least some of the electricalconductors 801 and being configured to be connected to an in-vehiclediagnostic system; and a first connector 803 electrically coupled to atleast one of the electrical conductors 801 and configured to be coupledto the telematics device 804.

In other embodiments, short-range wireless devices, such as Bluetooth™or 802.11-based devices, can be used in place of cables to transmitdiagnostic and location data to the in-vehicle device. For example, aBluetooth™ transmitter can be connected to the vehicle's OBD system, andwirelessly transmit diagnostic data to a corresponding Bluetooth™receiver in the telematics device. The telematics device then transmitsthese data over a nation-wide wireless network using a conventionalwireless transmitter. This embodiment shown in FIG. 9, features a systemfor connecting a telematics device 904 to a host vehicle, comprising: ashort-range wireless transmitter 901 connected to an in-vehiclediagnostic system 902; and a short-range wireless receiver 903 connectedto the telematics device 904 installed in the host vehicle; wherein thetransmitter 901 is configured to wirelessly transmit 905 diagnostic datato the receiver 903.

In still other embodiments, the snap-on adaptors, connector portions,cabling, and pins can have different configurations than those shownabove. The telematics system shown in FIG. 6 in vehicle 12 may also beimplemented in communication with other hardware and software systemsdifferent than or in addition to those shown 61, 54, 55, 57, 63, 66, 67,52, 69, 60 in that figure. Such other hardware and software systems aredescribed, for example, in the following references, the disclosures ofwhich have been previously incorporated herein by reference: 1) U.S.Pat. No. 6,594,579; 2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,033; 3) U.S. Pat. Nos.6,611,740; and 4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,790.

In general, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatsome of the embodiments as described hereinabove may be implemented inmany different embodiments of software, firmware, and hardware in theentities illustrated in the figures. The actual software code orspecialized control hardware used to implement some of the presentembodiments is not limiting of the present invention. Thus, theoperation and behavior of the embodiments are described without specificreference to the actual software code or conventional hardwarecomponents. The absence of such specific references is feasible becauseit is clearly understood that artisans of ordinary skill would be ableto design software and control hardware to implement the embodiments ofthe present invention based on the description herein with only areasonable effort and without undue experimentation.

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that these and other elements may be desirable.However, because such elements are well known in the art, and becausethey do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention,a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, a singlecomponent can be replaced by multiple components, and multiplecomponents replaced by a single component, to perform a given functionor functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative topractice embodiments of the present invention, such substitution iswithin the scope of the present invention.

1. A method for coupling a telematics device to an engine control unitof a host vehicle and to a scan tool to provide a diagnostic signal fromthe engine control unit to the telematics device and to the scan tool,comprising: coupling an electrical cable to the engine control unit ofthe vehicle; coupling the electrical cable to the telematics device; andcoupling a diagnostic connector to the electrical cable wherein thediagnostic connector is configured to interface with the diagnostic scantool that corresponds to the vehicle.
 2. The method of claim of claim 1wherein said coupling a diagnostic connector to the electrical cablecomprises: coupling a first connector to the cable; and coupling a coreconnector that is configured to mate with the diagnostic scan tool tothe first connector.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said coupling acore connector comprises: affixing an adaptor that has a form factorthat is unique to the type of vehicle to the first connector; andaffixing the core connector to the adaptor.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein the adaptor has an opening therein sized to receive a portion ofthe core connector therein and wherein said affixing the core connectorto the adaptor comprises: inserting the portion of the core connectorinto the opening in the adaptor; and snappingly engaging another portionof the core connector with the adaptor.
 5. The method of claim 4 wheresaid affixing the core connector to the adaptor further comprises:inserting an IDC connector having pins protruding from both sidesthereof into the opening in the adaptor; coupling a circuit board to thepins protruding from one side of the IDC connector such that ends of thepins protrude through the circuit board; and inserting the ends of thepins protruding from the circuit board into corresponding cavitieswithin the core connector.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein saidaffixing the adaptor to the first connector comprises inserting theportions of the pins protruding from another side of the IDC connectorinto corresponding cavities in the first connector.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said coupling an electrical cable to the engine controlunit of the vehicle comprises: coupling a second connector to the cable;and coupling an on-board diagnostic connector that is configured to matewith the original diagnostic connector to the second connector.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein coupling an on-board diagnostic connectorcomprises inserting the second connector into the on-board diagnosticconnector, wherein the second connector is a male connector and theon-board diagnostic connector is a female connector.